Jazz Education Network

I am writing this post as I fly home to Connecticut from the Jazz Education Network conference in Atlanta.  The conference theme was "Networking The Jazz Community... Local to Global", and networking I did.  Although I attended many performances and clinics, I decided beforehand that I wanted to emphasize relational building activities, rather than merely running from event to event.  From the moment I stepped into the hotel conference center (on Friday morning), I was fully immersed in conversations with educators, university administrators, publishers, authors, musicians, arrangers, festival promoters, old friends... and new ones too.  It was exhilarating to say the least.

I lead (and contributed to) a panel discussion about jazz blogging with George Colligan (http://jazztruth.blogspot.com) and David Valdez (http://davidvaldez.blogspot.com).  We titled the presentation, "Blogging With A Purpose ---- Educating and Building the Jazz Audience Base." In one hour we disseminated a lot of useful information and even I walked away having learned some new things.

From the scheduled conference offerings, the following stood out as being exceptional:

University Big Band Performances:

• University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab Band 1 - Dana Landry, director
• University of Southern Mississippi Jazz Lab Band 1 - Larry Panella, director
• University of Miami Frost Concert Jazz Band - Dante Luciani, director

Professional Performances:

The Mike Pope/Jim White/Stefan Karlsson Trio was truly fantastic.  Because the three musicians are longtime friends, they demonstrated an uncanny degree of comfort in their musical report/risk-taking together.  Technically impressive, super musical and fun.

Clinics:

• Effective Tools for Composing/Arranging Using Finale.  Socrates Garcia, clinician.

Although I consider myself an experienced/expert user of the Finale music software notation program, I learned a number of valuable, time-saving shortcuts (which I will put into practice this week as I finish up a chart!)  This clinic was pure gold.

• Get Your Groove On! Michael Mossman, clinician

Mike is a former teacher and ongoing mentor of mine.  I admire the confidence he justifiably exudes, stemming from his comprehensive knowledge and experience as an arranger and seasoned New York City musician.

• Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age.  Michael Abene and Richard Sussman, clinicians

In addition to being great musicians, these guys know how to laugh and have a good time.  I appreciate that!

• Teaching Jazz History as a Perceptual Learning Experience.  Mark Gridley, clinician

Of the jazz history texts I have perused, Mark Gridley's is my favorite.  It provides a solid overview without getting too bogged down in details.  I agree with his goal of teaching lifelong listening and jazz appreciation skills.  It was a kick to meet him.

Panel Discussions:

• From the Classroom to the Bandstand:

Bob Mintzer, John Clayton, Don Braden and Javon Jackson shared tips pertaining to the assemblage of a successful performance career.

Although I'm feeling a degree of physical exhaustion, my two days at the JEN conference in Atlanta have recharged my creative batteries.  I have ideas abound, including a performance project to propose at next year's conference in Dallas.  Maybe I'll see you there!

... posing with the great jazz arranger, Michael Abene.